Car coupler support and positioning device



K. T. NYSTROM ET AL March 11, 1952 CAR COUPLER SUPPORT AND POSITIONING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 1, 1948 INVENTORS- yatram,

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March 11, 1952 K. T. NYSTROM ET AL 2,588,654

CAR COUPLER SUPPORT AND POSITIONING DEVICE Filed June 1, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR5 1&21'! TN 65mm, (1mm; ham/950m,

March 11, 1952 K. T. NYSTROM ET AL CAR COUPLER SUPPORT AND POSITIONING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 1, 1948 March 11, 1952 K NYSTROM ET AL 2,588,654

CAR COUPLER SUPPORT AND POSITIONING DEVICE 5 SheetsSheet 4 Filed June 1, 1948 March 11, 1952 K. T. NYSTROM ET AL CAR COUPLER SUPPORT AND POSITIONING DEVICE Filed June 1, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR5. JQrZ ffi yaifofiz, avail/mail Thom 060m Law- 6 65 Patented Mar. 11, 1952 CAR COUPLER SUPPORT AND POSITIONING DEVICE Karl T. Nystrom, Chicago, 111., and Alfred L.

Thompson, Munster, Ind., assignors to Standard Railway Equipment Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application June 1, 1948, Serial No. 30,436

17 Claims.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 760,212, filed July 11, 1947, now abandoned, relating generally to railway cars and specifically to means for adjustably and resiliently supporting the outer end of a railway car coupler adjacent its head.

Railway cars are ordinarily equipped with striking castings which generally are of hollow rectangular shape and fixedly secured to the end 'of the center sill of the car. The shank of the car coupler projects within this striking casting and is secured thereto by a large pin so as to permit the required vertical and lateral angling of the coupler head. In some installations coupler centering devices .are associated with striking castings, so that when cars are uncoupled, said centering device will return the coupler to a position known as within coupling range. A great many of these centering devices are also provided with resilient means to support the coupler.

As is well known, couplers must move longitudinally, laterally and vertically within minimum limits prescribed by the Association of American Railroads. and theseconstant movements cause considerable wear on the under surface of the coupler shank as well as the wearing surface of. the centering device supporting'the same. Also if the resilientineansfor supporting the coupler is a spring, said springs, through usage, become weakened, and thus do not maintain the coupler at its required vertical height.

It is, therefore, the principal object of our invention to provide a coupler centering device having a single means of adjustable association with a striking casting whereby the level of the coupler supporting surface of the centering de vice may be readily varied to compensate for such wear or failure of other parts of the device.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a means accomplishingcoupler height adjustment for couplers provided with centering devices of the spring, swing link or other types. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description thereof. Referring now to the accompanying drawings forming part of this application and wherein like characters indicate like parts. e

Figure 1 is afront' elevation showing a typical installation .of our device to a railway car.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a partial front elevation similar Figure 1 of a modified form of the invention. Figure 6 is a section on line 66 of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a front elevation of a coupler support and positioning device of the swing link type having associated therewith a modification of our invention.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the rotatable trunnion pocket or bearing block for supporting the links of the modification shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a central vertical section on line 99 of Figure 7. v

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are partial front elevationsone side of the striker illustrating successive positions of the trunnion bearing block therein.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4, the striking casting is shown generally at 2, which is customarily attached-to the center sill of the car by means of rivets extending through holes 3 to thereby hold same to the car underframe. The car coupler shank is indicated in dotted lines at 4 as resting upon the carrier 6 between the spaced walls 9 and In of the striking casting which restricts movement of the carrier longitudinally of the car but permits vertical reciprocation thereof. Walls 9 and It also provide an emergency support for the coupler in case of breakage or loss of any of the parts of the device, Spaced springs I2 extend between carrier 6 and rocker 20 resting on bottom wall I3 of centering device and thus provide a resilient support for the coupler. As the coupler moves laterally it takes the carrier 6 therewith causing the springs to tilt and distort somewhat, and the rocker to rock, thereby providing a restoring moment to return the coupler to coupling range when free to do so. Bottom l3 of the centering. device extends between the central pertions of the spaced walls 2| and 22, the lower outer corners of which are provided with registering holes which register with elongated holes 23 through walls S and ID for application therethrough of pins 24 thereby holding the centering device within the striking casting. Upon each pin 24 between walls 2| and 22 is a solid polygonally shaped block 25 having an eccentric trans- 3 verse hole therethrough through which the pin 24 passes, and it will be noted from Figure 1 that the axis of the pin is at a diiferent distance from each side of the block. As one wall of the block 25 rests upon the walls 25 of the striking casting, a ninety degree rotation of the block on pin 23 will present another face thereof to rest upon the wall 26 and thus accordingly raise or lower, as the case may be, the coupler support in relation to the striking casting, which, of course, will correspondingly inove the coupler. While we have shown the block 25 as rectangular, thereby providing four manually adjustable positions of the coupler support, it is obvious that a hexagonally or octagonally shaped block may I be used to provide more adjustable positions, if

such were necessary. I

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 the structure of :the coupler support and positioning :device and that of the striking casting are the same .as in the formerly described modification, the only "difference being in the location of the means :.for adjusting the position or the support and positioningzdevicelin relation to thestriking casting.

Gorresponding parts of the two modifications which are identical in structure are indicated by thesame reference characters, so that the description thereof need not be repeated.

In this modified form,.th e wa1l 26 of the "striking casting is provided with a pair of spaced rectangular openings therein, so that one wall of the rotatable blocks 31 may project therethrough. Two pairs of aligned and 40 of thestriking casting for reception of the pins-3i which also project through holes in the blocks and maintain the same position between said walls. Rocker support 33 rests "upon the upper surface of walls of blocks 30, which in turn supports the rocker 20, the springs l2 and coupler carrieriirupon which coupler shank rests. Inner and outer walls 2| and 22 of carrier are riveted to the striking casting by means of rivets 83. Thusbyrotating the blocks 50 the rocker support Q32 may be raised or lowered accordingly and thereby vary the height of the couplerin relation .of the striking roasting.

.-.In Figures 7 to 12 inclusive the invention is shown as applied to a coupler carrier suspended by swinging links, such ;as illustrated in Patent No. 1,944,422 of January 23, 1934, owned by our assignee, andthe invention herein constitutes an improvement over the trunnion bearing block shown and described in said patent. In these figures of the drawing, the usualcar parts are indicated, such :as the striking casting 40, coupler 4I., .coupler carrier 42 having upstanding lugs 43 to retainthecoupler 4| centrally thereupon, and bifurcated .or forked end portions each having an inverted bearing for a trunnion, and links 44, each having trunnions 45-45 at each end thereof -Striking casting is provided with opposed integral lugs 46-46 which extend toward each other from the front 41 and rear 48 walls of "the striking casting, but are spaced from each other so that-the shank of link 44 may swing therebetween. These lugs provide a supporting ledge for therotatable trunnion bearing block 49 for the carrier supporting trunnioned links 44.

The rotatable trunnion bearing block 49 is formed asan integralcasting and comprises a pair of walls 50-50 which are spaced apart lparenem a distance about the width of the shank of link 44, and with a hollow semi-cylindrical spaced holes are provided through the lower part of the walls 9 connecting arm 5|. A hole 52 extends through walls 50-50 and registers with the hollow surface 5l' of arm 5| when in the position shown in Figure 7, and registering tapering holes forming trunnion bearings 53 are provided through walls 50-50, approximately axially thereof. In side elevation (see left of Figure 7) the sides 50 of trunnion bearing block are generally circular, but provided with four flat facets 54, 55. 56 and 51., which are designed to selectively rest upon the lugs -46. These facets are arranged on the periphery of the trunnion hearing so as v to be at progressively increasing distances from the axis of bearings 53, the facets 54 being spaced the shortes't distance from said axis, and facet '5! being spaced the longest distance therefrom. When the trunnion bearing is placed in position in striker 4,0 with facets 54 resting on lugs 46,

registering holes '58 in front and rear surfaces 41 and 48 i'of stniker will also register with holes 52 and surface 5| and consequently a large cot- "t'r pin 59 may-pass therethrough and hold the trunnion bearing in that position. In this position with upper trunnions 45-45 in trunnion bearings 53, and lower trunnions swingingly supporting the coupler carrier 42, whidhin turn supports the coupler, the coupler is supported in normal position.

It will be noted that there are three semi-circularly shaped notches 5'0, Bl and' 62 .in the .pe- .riphery of each wall 158, which, together with holes 52, are equally spaced apart. Thus when any of the moving parts wear, the amount of wear will cause alowering of the coupler height, and to compensate for this. cotterpin59removed, and rotatable trunnion bearing block 49, rotated 'until the next facets '55 rest upon lugs or ledges 45,-at which timeholes 58 will register with notch (see Figure I0) .and the .coupler will then be raised because of 'the increased distance between facets T .and axis of bearmgs 53. If furtheradjustmeiit of the coupler height is necessary, this process of rotating 'theftrunnionbearing canbe repeated, as shown Figure 11, and to a final position, as shown iniFigure v12, to provide the maximum coupler heiglit'a'd justment.

To prevent the fact of 'the block 49 from "slid ing on the lugs or ledges '46, a rectangular isha'pe'd protrusion 64 integrally formed on ledges 45-45 at junctures .thereof with '"fro'n-t '41 and rear 48 walls off the striker. Correspondln'gly shaped notches 65 are formed'intrunni'on bearing block to selectively register with protrusion 64 and consequently, when cotter-5'9 is inpla'c'e, the block cannot move.

For convenience in assembling "the trunnion bearing block 49 in the "striker with the same facet of each resting Ton its respective 'fac'et, rectangular openings '10 are provided "through the front wall 41 of the striker, through which may be seen-either of the numerals '1, "2, '3 or '4 "cast in the side of the bearing blocks 49, .as clearly seen in Figures 7 and 8. 'Thus when an adjustmerit in couplerheight is made, the same 'Triumeral should appearthroug'h said openings "on both sides .of the striker which indicates "at a glance that the corresponding facets of each block are resting uponledges "45.

It willbe noted inFigureB that the inner Sill face of walls'50-5'0 diverge outwardlyfrombearings 53 in the area of the semi-circular notches 5,0,1 and 62. This is for convenience 'm'appl'ying the trunnion'ed link into said bearing.

The accompanying drawings illustrate "themespasms ,comprising a coupler carrier adapted to support a coupler shank, an adjustable support, means extending between said support and said carrier to support said carrier, and means including an eccentric rotatable block between 'said supportand a carpartfor varyingthe relation of said support to said car part to thereby optionally vary the elevation of a coupler carried by said carrier upon rotation of said block.

2. A railway car coupler carrier mechanism comprising a coupled carrier adapted to support a coupler shank, an adjustable support, means extending between said support and said carrier to support said carrier, and an eccentrically mounted rotatable polygonal block for varying the elevation of said support to thereby optionally vary the elevation of a coupler carried by said carrier.

3. A railway car coupler carrier mechanism comprising a coupler carrier for supporting a coupler, means for supporting said carrier, adjustable means for supporting said means, and a polygonally shaped eccentrically mounted rotatable block for adjusting said adjustable means to vary the elevation of said carrier.

4. A railway car coupler carrier mechanism comprising a coupler carrier having end portions adapted to support therebetween a coupler shank, and a polygonally shaped block eccentrically and rotatably arranged below said carrier upon a car part for supporting said carrier in optionally varying relation to said car part.

5. A railway car coupler carrier mechanism comprising a coupler carrier having end portions adapted to support therebetween a coupler shank, a laterally movable support for said end portions, and a polygonally shaped block eccentrically and rotatably arranged upon a car part to selectively vary the elevation of said carrier.

6. A railway car coupler carrier mechanism comprising a coupler carrier having end portions adapted to support therebetween a coupler shank, a laterally movable trunnioned support for said end portions, and a polygonally shaped block eccentrically and rotatably arranged upon a car part and associated with said support and provided with trunnion bearings for the trunnions of said support to selectively vary the elevation of said carrier.

7. A coupler carrier mechanism for a railway car having a striker provided with opposed integral ledges, said mechanism including a rotatable eccentric trunnion bearing block having a plurality of facets adapted to selectively rest upon said ledges, said block having a trunnion bearing therein, a coupler carrier having end portions provided with trunnion bearings, and a link having trunnions at each end for application to the bearings of said block and carrier.

8. A coupler carrier mechanism for a railway car having a striker provided with opposed integral ledges, said mechanism including a rotatable eccentric trunnion bearing block having spaced sides each having a plurality of facets adapted to selectively rest upon said ledges, said sides having a trunnion bearing therein, a coupler carrier having bifurcated end portions provided with inverted trunnion bearings, and a link having trunnions at each end for application to the bearings of said block and carrier.

9. A coupler carrier mechanism for a railway car having a striker provided with opposed integral ledges and integral protrusions on said ledges, said mechanism including a rotatable eccentric trunnion bearing block having a plurality of facets adapted to selectively rest upon said ledges, each facet having a notch therein, said block having 'a trunnion bearing therein, a coupler carrier having end portions provided with trunnion bearings, and a link having trunnions at each end for application to the bearings of said block and carrier, said notches registerable with said protrusions to maintain said block in any selected position.

10. A rotatable trunnion bearing block having a plurality of peripheral facets, and a plurality of semi-cylindrical peripheral notches substantially opposite said facets.

11. A rotatable trunnion bearing block having spaced sides each having a plurality of peripheral facets, each facet having a notch therein, and a plurality of semi-cylindrical peripheral notches substantially opposite said facets.

12. A rotatable trunnion bearing block having spaced sides each having a plurality of peripheral facets, each facet having a notch therein, aligned openings through said sides forming a trunnion bearing, and a plurality of semi-cylindrical peripheral notches substantially opposite said facets.

13. A railway car coupler carrier mechanism comprising a coupler carrier having end portions adapted to support therebetween a coupler shank, a laterally movable support for said end portions, and a block having facets at varying distances from the axis of the block eccentrically and rotatably arranged upon a car part between said shank and said support to selectively vary the elevation of said carrier upon rotation of said block.

14. A coupler carrier mechanismffor a railway car having a striker, said mechanism comprising a coupler carrier adapted to support a coupler shank, a pair of eccentric rotatable blocks rotatably supported in said striker, and means between the carrier and the blocks for supporting the carrier, whereby rotation of said blocks will vary the elevation of said carrier.

15. A coupler carrier mechanism for a railway car having a striker, said mechanism comprising a coupler carrier adapted to support a coupler shank, a pair of eccentric rotatable blocks, means for rotatably supporting said blocks in said striker, and means between the carrier and the blocks for supporting the carrier, whereby rotation of said blocks will vary the elevation of said carrier.

16. A coupler carrier mechanism for a railway car having a striker, said mechanism comprising a coupler carrier adapted to support a coupler shank, a pair of eccentric rotatable blocks, each having a plurality of facets, means for rotatably supporting said blocks in aid striker, and means between the carrier and the blocks for supporting the carrier, whereby by rotation of said blocks corresponding selected facets may be brought into position to elevate said carrier a predetermined amount through said last mentioned means. 

